Safety: Emulate the Japanese way

Less than a month, three serious accidents have taken place in three major cities.

The first was at a shopping mall in Subang Jaya, involving an explosion believed to be due to a gas leakage. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured or died.

In the second accident, a crane toppled at a building site in Penang on Oct 4 which caused loss of life and property.

The third accident occurred at a construction site in Kuala Lumpur a few days ago, where a semi-finished concrete structure collapsed.

Why are these accidents happening? Are those involved following standard operating procedures?

Are employers providing training to frontline workers, such as security personnel and construction workers?

Are enforcement agencies efficient in carrying out their duties?

Do we realise that safety and security are the concern of everyone?

These questions need an answers.

I am not an expert in occupational or industrial safety, but I wish to share my experience as a supervisor at a construction site of a multinational electrical firm, owned by a Japanese group.

The main criteria the company looked for when recruiting staff was not academic qualification, but honesty and dedication, because they believe that honest and dedicated staff would always be concerned with the safety and well-being of the public.

Every morning, everyone at the construction site, including the Bangladesh, Pakistani and Indonesian workers, would assemble outside the site office.

Each group leader had to report on the work progress to the director. The director would then ask if anyone found any potential hazard at the construction site.

He would warn us against hiding anything pertaining to work hazards, and advise us to work hard, but not to work beyond our capability.

After the meeting, he would ensure that everyone wore safety apparel before beginning their daily duties. On top of that, time and again, he would instruct the group leader to educate the foreign workers on matters pertaining to safety.

A daily meeting like this, which usually takes less than 10 minutes, is an effective way to ensure that important information is passed to every worker, and that everyone works according to standard operating procedures.

I think it would be good for Malaysian companies to follow the Japanese way of management to enhance safety, security, comfort and productivity in our living and work places. This should be part of the transformation of our country.

Source: GOH HOE HOE, letters@nst.com.my